Chapter 118: The Awakening of the Dark Forest

This was a feather from the Primordial Wings, nourished by the absorption of innumerable essences and blood. Though its power was unknown, it was surely more than enough to annihilate several Bai Kongzhao without issue.

The challenge lay in hitting the target. Over the past few days, countless strikes Qian Ye thought would be certain hits were deftly evaded by Bai Kongzhao with her myriad of mysterious and cunning methods. No matter how powerful the Primordial Wings might be, a miss was still a miss.

At this critical moment, Qian Ye awaited Bai Kongzhao’s approach, planning to deliver a decisive blow. That would also be the opportune time to unleash the Primordial Feather.

Yet, at this crucial juncture, Bai Kongzhao hesitated, her bold and ruthless demeanor completely transformed. Her slightly confused eyes gazed at Qian Ye before she slowly retreated, eventually disappearing into the forest.

Qian Ye was stunned, only then realizing that the young girl had relinquished the opportunity. He couldn’t help but shake his head, acknowledging that her intuition was indeed unparalleled. Turning, he left, continuing the never-ending game of pursuit.

Above, the sky was a heavy, leaden gray, as if the iron curtain had become a permanent part of the heavens, never to disperse. Qian Ye stumbled, completely disoriented, the surroundings blurring and then clarifying, many parts of his body devoid of sensation.

Looking up, he saw the unchanging iron curtain, and around him, endless dense forests. Qian Ye lost all sense of time, his body growing lighter as if floating in the clouds. Sometimes, though he trod on solid ground, it felt like walking on cotton.

“Have I reached my limit?” This thought suddenly emerged in Qian Ye’s muddled mind. He halted, dimly aware that he leaned against a large tree, and there he rested, standing. He dared not sit, knowing that if he did, he might never stand again.

“Am I dying?” This was his second thought.

Death didn’t seem so terrifying; all he had to do was close his eyes and let go, falling into eternal darkness and silence. In his daze, Qian Ye felt as if he were back in his childhood, standing on the familiar, chaotic trash heap.

He seemed to hear the roar of engines, a sound that, to the children living in the dump, was like celestial music, for it meant that an airship from the upper continent had arrived, bringing new refuse. With refuse, they could survive.

Suddenly, Qian Ye’s eyes snapped open, a flame slowly igniting within them. I, cannot die yet!

Shaking his head, Qian Ye tried to clear his vision. He couldn’t activate his True Sight, so he relied on instinct to choose a safe direction, ready to continue on.

After a while, Qian Ye suddenly paused, realizing that it had been a long time since he last saw Bai Kongzhao. According to their usual pattern, she should have launched at least two or three attacks by now.

Had she finally collapsed? Qian Ye shook his head; Bai Kongzhao clearly had reinforcements and supplies, so she shouldn’t be so weak. If he still had the strength for one final strike, then Bai Kongzhao should appear to make one last attempt.

Days of relentless combat had made Qian Ye and Bai Kongzhao know each other inside out.

Gazing around once more, Qian Ye tried to find traces of the young girl. As the scenery sharpened, his expression changed.

Unbeknownst to him, a light mist began to spread through the forest, and the surrounding trees took on a completely different appearance. The trunks were pitch black, the branches twisted and sharp, exuding an eerie, inexplicable aura.

Was this, the Black Forest?

Qian Ye’s face grew grave. He hadn’t expected the legendary place to appear so abruptly. He couldn’t even remember how he had arrived here, unsure if he had entered the Black Forest or if the normal forest had suddenly mutated.

There were many mysterious legends about the Black Forest, but most couldn’t be verified. Some even debated whether the Black Forest truly existed or was merely a hallucination of the dying.

But now, Qian Ye could clearly sense that the surroundings were real.

The mist thickened, and the distant tree trunks and branches, once faintly visible, now became a hazy gray. Qian Ye’s visibility was reduced to just a few hundred meters, surrounded by trees that resembled carved obsidian. Suddenly, a thought struck him: Bai Kongzhao’s absence might be related to the sudden appearance of the Black Forest.

Qian Ye remained still, taking out his last blood crystal, crushing it, and absorbing the stored essence. After a brief recovery, he cautiously observed his surroundings. If he couldn’t uncover the secrets of the Black Forest, he might never leave, becoming its nourishment.

Activating his True Sight, though blurry, he felt the roiling darkness almost engulfing the world.

In the distance, Bai Kongzhao stood quietly, looking at the unusually dense forest ahead, hesitant to proceed. She now wore a cloak, tightly wrapped around her body.

Beside her were dozens of elite private soldiers from the Nan Gong family and a short, old man.

The old man, with eyes like lightning, swept a glance at Bai Kongzhao and said in a deep voice, “I am Nan Gong Yuanwang. I presume Miss Kongzhao has heard of me.”

Bai Kongzhao replied indifferently, “The second elder of the Nan Gong family. I have heard of you. I didn’t expect you to come here personally. Aren’t you afraid of being discovered by the Celestial Fiend?”

Nan Gong Yuanwang snorted arrogantly, “I have practiced the art of concealing my presence for thirty years. If even the Celestial Fiend can’t detect me, then what’s the point of my training?”

Bai Kongzhao hummed, her tone indifferent, “So, is the second elder going to take action?”

Nan Gong Yuanwang faltered, for no matter how confident he was, he wasn’t a Divine General and couldn’t afford to fight under the Celestial Fiend’s iron curtain. Bai Kongzhao’s words were brusque, implying that if he couldn’t act, then coming here was pointless.

Nan Gong Yuanwang’s face turned red and pale, and after a moment, he said, “I rushed here upon hearing Tiancheng’s death. Tiancheng was my only son, Miss Bai. Don’t you think you owe me an explanation?!” His tone grew harsh by the end.

Bai Kongzhao, seemingly oblivious to the threat, said, “Nan Gong Tiancheng? The captain with the short beard?”

“That’s right!” Nan Gong Yuanwang’s face was filled with anger.

“He died at Qian Ye’s hands.” That was Bai Kongzhao’s explanation.

Nan Gong Yuanwang gritted his teeth, “Where is Qian Ye now? I will flay him alive!”

Bai Kongzhao pointed to the dense forest, “In that direction.”

The forest she pointed to was exceptionally dense, the leaves unnaturally green, even dazzling. In the gloom under the iron curtain, they seemed to emit a luminous glow. For some reason, seeing this forest, Nan Gong Yuanwang felt a chill.

“Why does this forest look so strange?”

Bai Kongzhao smiled lightly, “This is the Black Forest, naturally different.”

Nan Gong Yuanwang was startled, “The Black Forest?! I’ve seen the Black Forest before. How can it look like this?”

“What should it look like?”

Nan Gong Yuanwang frowned, glancing at Bai Kongzhao, “How do you know this is the Black Forest?”

“Instinct.”

Her answer made Nan Gong Yuanwang’s face turn ashen. He wanted to lash out but thought of Bai Aotuo, who was notoriously protective and unreasonable. Offending Bai Kongzhao meant offending Bai Aotuo.

One of Nan Gong Yuanwang’s men said, “Many rumors surround the Black Forest, but most are overblown. I have examined a Black Forest before, and both the trees and soil were bizarre, their formation a mystery. But aside from that, there seemed nothing particularly terrifying. This place is vastly different from the Black Forest. Why do you hesitate, Miss Kongzhao?”

Bai Kongzhao said, “The one you visited was the remnants of a dead Black Forest. This one is alive. I don’t want to enter, but you can if you wish. The person is inside.”

“A living Black Forest?” The Nan Gong family members were shocked.

Nan Gong Yuanwang’s face grew serious, pondering, “Since Miss Kongzhao knows so much about the Black Forest, please accompany us. With our strength, we should be able to handle any dangers.”

“No.” Bai Kongzhao refused flatly.

After a whispered exchange, Nan Gong Yuanwang said, “If Miss Kongzhao is willing to go, the price is negotiable.”

“No.”

The repeated, unyielding refusals made Nan Gong Yuanwang’s face grim. He was a powerful figure in the Nan Gong family, never having faced such disrespect. Others, unable to comply, would offer gentle explanations to seek understanding.

Yet, he couldn’t lose his temper. The girl before him was not only special but also extremely capable. Two entire squads of elite soldiers attacked Qian Ye with her, and now one squad was annihilated, and the other exhausted, leaving only Bai Kongzhao and Qian Ye entangled until the end.

This record made Nan Gong Yuanwang realize that this seemingly underage girl couldn’t be judged by her rank. Moreover, Bai Aotuo, a proud and discerning figure, held her in high regard for a reason.

Seeing Bai Kongzhao’s refusal to enter the living Black Forest, even reluctant to get closer, Nan Gong Yuanwang, wary, asked, “Miss Kongzhao, what dangers lurk in the Black Forest? Can you tell us?”

The girl shook her head, “I don’t know, I just don’t want to go in.”

Without another word, she turned and vanished into the forest like a ghost.

Nan Gong Yuanwang’s face was stormy, and he suddenly ordered one of his soldiers, “You, take ten men and go in. Walk for half an hour and then return.”

The man paled but obeyed, selecting ten soldiers and slowly advancing into the vibrant forest. The strange scene unfolded as they entered, vanishing from sight despite still being within view.

They disappeared in front of Nan Gong Yuanwang, and even his strength couldn’t track their auras. His face darkened further. Now, they could only wait for their return, but a foreboding feeling settled over everyone.

Time passed, and those who entered the Black Forest remained missing.

Seeing Nan Gong Yuanwang’s increasing anxiety, a confidant suggested, “Elder, waiting might not yield results. Why not leave some people here and return? You can’t stay under the iron curtain for too long.”

Nan Gong Yuanwang nodded slowly, “Very well, I’ll go first. Jiancheng, you stay with half the men and set an ambush. Kill that boy on sight. Yucheng, take some men and gather military merits.”

Their mission had been unsuccessful, with the two full squads of the Nan Gong family originally intending to gain military merits and hunt Qian Ye. Now, the roles were reversed.

The confidant visibly relaxed, glad to leave the ominous place.

Qian Ye, unaware of the time he spent in the Black Forest, leaned against a tree, meditating.

The silence was overwhelming, with no sounds, not even a breeze rustling the leaves. Yet, after a long stillness, faint noises began to emerge, as if someone was whispering, or something was gnawing quietly.